Work related cancer compensation claims

Cancer is one of the most common illnesses in the UK, accounting for thousands of deaths every year.

There are hundreds of different forms of cancer and with many types of cancer, the causes and contributing factors are largely difficult to attribute.

If your cancer has been misdiagnosed, or if the diagnosis has been delayed because of the negligence of a GP or consultant, then please click here for further information about medical negligence cancer compensation claims.

However, there are certain forms of cancer, including cancers of the lungs, skin, bladder and nasal passages for which one of the known causes is exposure to carcinogenic chemicals.

Lung cancer
Lung cancers are mainly associated with smoking or asbestos exposure (see asbestos related illnesses). However, lung cancers might also be attributable to exposure to certain carcinogenic chemicals, dust or radiation encountered at work.

Bladder cancer
Can be associated with chemicals, including those used in dye factories, rubber, gas works, plastics and other chemical industries. It can take 25 years from exposure to chemicals for bladder cancer to develop.

Nasal cancer
Known cases of nasal cancer at work include regular exposure to wood dust (particularly hardwood dust), glues, formaldehyde, solvents used in furniture and shoe production, nickel and chromium dust. There is also some evidence that there is a link between nasal cancer in women and exposure to cloth fibres (textiles) in the workplace.

Skin cancer
Can be caused by exposure to ionising and non-ionising radiation and certain chemicals in the workplace.

If you've contracted one of these cancers and had exposure to high risk environments or chemicals during your working career which you suspect may have contributed to your condition, please contact us to see if one of our specialist cancer claim solicitors can help you win the compensation you deserve.

How much compensation will I receive?

The amount of compensation you are entitled to receive depends on the severity of your condition and the amount of suffering you have experienced as a result of your condition. If your claim is successful, you may also be entitled to claim for expenses and costs relating to your illness, such as medical costs or travel expenses. You may also be entitled to loss of earnings, future loss of earnings and loss of pension entitlement.

We have recently won the following compensation for clients suffering from work related cancers:

• Leslie Smith - Won £95,000 on a provisional damages basis for nasal cancer caused by exposure to wood dust.
• Mr Cookson - Won Court of Appeal case for bladder cancer caused by exposure to carcinogenic dusts during the manufacture of aniline dyes (compensation amount yet to be agreed or ordered by the court).

The level of compensation you might expect to receive if your claim is successful will be discussed in more detail at your initial meeting with Pannone's Work Related Cancer Solicitors.

How long will my claim for work related cancer claim take?

The length of time is takes to complete a work related cancer compensation claim varies from case to case. With any claim for work related illness or disease, it is necessary to prove that the condition was caused as a result of exposure to substances in the workplace and not elsewhere. The evidence gathering process can therefore take a substantial amount of time, especially in cases where several years have passed since the exposure took place.

It is important to note that there is a time limit of three years in bringing about a claim for compensation for a work related illness such as the types of cancer described above. This applies from the time you are first diagnosed with the condition. It is therefore vital that if you suspect you may have a form of work related cancer, you seek medical advice and consult a specialist solicitor as soon as possible.

Why should I choose Pannone to act for me?

Pannone's industrial disease solicitors specialise in obtaining compensation for our clients for the pain and suffering they have experienced as a result of their illness. Due to the three year limit in which a compensation claim must be brought about, it is essential that the solicitor you instruct has knowledge and experience within the area of work related cancers to bring about a successful claim within this timeframe.

Industrial disease claims

To arrange a free 'no obligation' discussion with an industrial disease solicitor click here or call us on 0800 0384 384. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.